Representatives of the Automotive Industry Association (OSD), the Association of Vehicles Supply Manufacturers (TAYSAD) and the Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters' Association (OIB), as well as the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member countries in Turkey, came together in Bursa. At the meeting, issues such as the EU-Turkey Customs Union, green transformation in the automotive industry and digital transformation were discussed; The importance of deepening Turkey-EU relations in the light of common interests was once again revealed.
Speaking at the meeting, Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, emphasizing that Turkey is an important part of European supply chains, especially in the fields of automotive, textile and machinery, said, “Our contacts during our Bursa visit, the European Green Deal and the business relations with Turkey within the framework of its importance for the Customs Union. will focus on our unity. Climate goes beyond politics and cooperation is essential. We are ready to continue our work in this area," he said.
Representatives of the Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), Vehicle Supply Manufacturers Association (TAYSAD) and Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters' Association (OIB) met with the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member countries in Turkey at the meeting held in Bursa. In the meeting, important topics were discussed on behalf of the future of the Turkish automotive industry's trade with the EU; The importance of deepening Turkey-EU relations in the light of common interests was once again revealed. At the meeting, which started with the opening speeches of the Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut and the Chairman of the Automotive Industry Association Haydar Yenigün; Customs Union, green transformation in the automotive industry were discussed. At the meeting where the processes in the field of digital transformation were also discussed; Evaluations were made on the further development of the existing strong commercial cooperation between the EU and Turkey.
“Turkey is an important part of European value chains”
Speaking at the meeting, Head of EU Delegation to Turkey Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut said, “I am happy to revisit one of Turkey's oldest cities, beautiful and historical Bursa. This time, my colleagues, ambassadors of EU member states will accompany me. Together, we will have the opportunity to see the cultural characteristics of this city, which is an important industrial center as well as its historical richness. Turkey is an important part of European value chains, especially in the fields of automotive, textile and machinery. Many multinational companies have one foot in Bursa and the other in Europe. Our contacts during our Bursa visit will focus on our cooperation with Turkey within the framework of the European Green Deal and its importance for the Customs Union. Climate goes beyond politics and cooperation is essential. We are ready to continue our efforts in this area," he said.
“We want official negotiations to start”
OIB Chairman of the Board Baran Çelik drew attention to the issues related to the Customs Union Decision, which remained in effect longer than anticipated, and said, “The Customs Union was put into effect as a transitional regulation before our country's full membership to the EU. However, the Customs Union remained in effect longer than anticipated, as Turkey's full membership perspective to the EU was still not clear. The Customs Union has provided significant gains to both Turkey and the EU economies since its establishment and has played an important role in the transformation of the Turkish economy. Stating that, “Today, it is important to update the Customs Union in order to maximize the gains obtained from the Customs Union by Turkey and the EU on the one hand, and to find solutions to systemic problems and adapt it to the current conditions on the other hand,” Çelik said. We support the modernization of the Customs Union in line with the EU's goal of full membership, and we want official negotiations to start as soon as possible.”
“It is extremely important to establish a special cooperation with the EU on green transformation”
OSD Chairman of the Board Haydar Yenigün said that the Turkish automotive industry, which exports about 75 percent of its total production and makes about 80 percent of its exports to the EU market, follows all the developments and requirements in the EU. Referring to the studies on the Green Reconciliation, Yenigün conveyed the developments related to the circular economy. Yenigün said, “We think that the automotive industry should not be included in the Border Carbon Regulation Mechanism due to its multi-layered and complex supply structure. As you know, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) had a similar statement. It is extremely important to establish a special cooperation and consultation mechanism with the EU on green transformation, both in terms of the Customs Union and automotive trade. Yenigün drew attention to the importance of facilitating the access of Turkish companies to EU funds for fast and easy green transformation due to being a candidate country.
In digital transformation, we should act as a whole with the EU!
TAYSAD Chairman of the Board, Albert Saydam, on the other hand, stated that the automotive industry deals with digital transformation with great care and emphasized that it is necessary to act as a whole with the EU in this area. Saydam said, “The focal point of every work done in the field of digital transformation is people. In addition, as in other EU projects, reaching all segments of the society and taking into account the benefits of all should be a priority in the structuring in the field of digital transformation. We expect Turkey, which is an important partner of the EU, to be supported in this context and to increase cooperation.”
After the meeting, EU ambassadors visited Tofaş Turkish Automobile Factories, Oyak Renault Automobile Factories and Bosch Turkey production facilities, which are important companies of the automotive industry, and made examinations about the production technologies and processes of the industry.
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